Spare A380 from MEL-LHR retiming

[NoName]

Would they be likely to make QF107/108 an A380?

 

[Mattg]

Would they be likely to make QF107/108 an A380?

Are you referring to the LAX-JFK leg or the whole flight? I doubt they would put on an A380 unless they thought they could fill it, although if they really wanted to they could already be doing that for LAX-JFK as they already have a spare A380 (or two) on the ground at LAX every day.

 

[NoName]

I guess I was specifically thinking of the SYD-LAX flight and forgot about the LAX-JFK part. So I guess both legs is my question as they'd have to use it all the way to JFK.

How full is the JFK leg usually? Could they fill an A380 or no chance? How full is the SYD-LAX leg usually?

 

[Awesom Andy]

There's still the BNE-LAX 744 that can be used for the LAX-JFK run.

 

[Mattg]

There's still the BNE-LAX 744 that can be used for the LAX-JFK run.

I'd say they'd be more likely to upgrade BNE-LAX to an A380 than upgrade QF107/108. 2x daily A380s between SYD and LAX seems a little much to me.

 

[dajop]

Or do what SQ has just done with their DEL/BOM (5-6hr) routes, replacing two smaller aircraft leaving within 2hrs of each other with the A380. Extend QF12 through to PER, do a domestic run to MEL and back then originate QF11 in PER to give some love back to the feeling-neglected WA folk.

 

[Mattg]

Or do what SQ has just done with their DEL/BOM (5-6hr) routes, replacing two smaller aircraft leaving within 2hrs of each other with the A380. Extend QF12 through to PER, do a domestic run to MEL and back then originate QF11 in PER to give some love back to the feeling-neglected WA folk.

Interesting thought, but if the Perth folk still have to connect through SYD wouldn't that negate most of the benefit of having a direct flight?

 

[dajop]

Interesting thought, but if the Perth folk still have to connect through SYD wouldn't that negate most of the benefit of having a direct flight?

I was being a bit tongue in cheek, but the advantage possibly could be intl-intl connection on same plane and consistent international standard product all the way through to LAX - ie. offering the same convenience and product consistency that CX has through to LAX. It would of course need to be a redeye from PER though !

 

[Shan Man]

I'd actually like to see some TT services in there... I don't like the fact that QF only operates TT's with 737's, and as such would chose EK / LA or even NZ over QF.

You had me worried for a moment when you mentioned TT as my immediate thought was you were talking about Tiger. 

to insert a very appropriate quote.

 

[RSD]

How many aircraft are needed to operate the daily SYD - DFW return? If only two are required then I'd change SYD - HKG back to a 744 and operate the then two available A380's daily to DFW.

 

[Mattg]

How many aircraft are needed to operate the daily SYD - DFW return? If only two are required then I'd change SYD - HKG back to a 744 and operate the then two available A380's daily to DFW.

That's a possibility. It is indeed 2 required.

 

[mannej]

How many aircraft are needed to operate the daily SYD - DFW return? If only two are required then I'd change SYD - HKG back to a 744 and operate the then two available A380's daily to DFW.

Only 1 issue is that DFW is a 3 class route, whilst HKG requires 4. The birds freed up by changing DFW to the 380's are only 3 class.

 

[RSD]

Only 1 issue is that DFW is a 3 class route, whilst HKG requires 4. The birds freed up by changing DFW to the 380's are only 3 class.

Have QF got any 4 class 744's left or were they all "enhanced" down to 3 class by AJ? 4 classes to DFW might work out OK.

 

[Flyerqf]

Only 1 issue is that DFW is a 3 class route, whilst HKG requires 4. The birds freed up by changing DFW to the 380's are only 3 class.

The B744 freed up by changing DFW to 380 could go to JNB and NRT which still often operate with a 4 class configuration even though it's only sold as 3 class.

There are also rumours that qantas may drop First to HKG.

 

[Isochronous]

Or do what SQ has just done with their DEL/BOM (5-6hr) routes, replacing two smaller aircraft leaving within 2hrs of each other with the A380. Extend QF12 through to PER, do a domestic run to MEL and back then originate QF11 in PER to give some love back to the feeling-neglected WA folk.

QF107/108 uses up 2x 744s. Wouldn't they need 2 A380s to replace it?

 

[Flyerqf]

Have QF got any 4 class 744's left or were they all "enhanced" down to 3 class by AJ? 4 classes to DFW might work out OK.

OJL, OJM and OEB are all 4 class and still in service.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Would someone explain how to do SYD-DFW daily with 2 aircrafts? Even assuming immediate turn-arounds, it's still around 30 hours to get there and back.

 

[zainman]

Would someone explain how to do SYD-DFW daily with 2 aircrafts? Even assuming immediate turn-arounds, it's still around 30 hours to get there and back.

I think marks10 already busted the myth that there will actually be a spare A380 earlier in this thread somewhere...

 

[Mattg]

Would someone explain how to do SYD-DFW daily with 2 aircrafts? Even assuming immediate turn-arounds, it's still around 30 hours to get there and back.

With the current schedule, if the aircraft leaves at 1.20pm on Monday, because of the International Date Line it arrives at 1.45pm on Monday. It then departs DFW on Monday at ~10pm, returning to SYD via BNE on Wednesday morning.
In theory, the aircraft could then do a Wednesday departure. If another aircraft did the Tuesday departure, and so on, then this route can be covered by 2 aircraft.

All up I think the return trip (with stopovers) takes 43 hours, which is less than two days.

 

[RSD]

I think marks10 already busted the myth that there will actually be a spare A380 earlier in this thread somewhere...

The answer might be to use the soon to be spare MEL-LHR A380 on the DFW run on Monday/Wednesday/Friday departures, and redeploy the SYD - HKG A380 onto SYD - DFW for the Thursday and Saturday departures, leaving it available on Mon/Tues/Wed to cover for heavy maintenance.